DNA Proves Bolsheviks Killed All of Russian Czar's Children

One of the most enduring mysteries of the 20th century has been put to rest: DNA analysis of bone fragments has proven that two of Czar Nicholas' children believed to have escaped were killed with their royal family during the Russian Revolution.

The chemically damaged and burnt remains were found in the Romanov family's makeshift grave outside the city of Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2007. In 2008, scientists used bone and tooth fragments to identify the remains as those of the two missing children of Czar Nicholas II: 13-year-old Crown Prince Alexei, the emperor's only son and heir to the throne, and his sister Grand Duchess Maria, about 19.

Researchers wanted to confirm their findings by comparing DNA from the remains with that of living Romanov relatives. The results of the DNA analysis were published online Tuesday in the journal PloS One.

You can read more on CNN at http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/03/11/czar.children/index.html.

My thanks to W. David Samuelsen for telling me about this story.

Comments

[John]

No doubt it's true, but the DNA tests only prove that the bone fragments were Romanov.

[Cecilia Rosenberg]

Does anybody know how I can trace/prove the following:

My husband's mother's father's parents served Czar Alexander II. While the husband, a high ranking officer, was in charge of building the Russian Railroad in Eastern Russia, and away from home for a considerable time, his wife, who was the "Lady in Waiting" for the Czaritsa, conceived and gave birth to my husband's maternal grandfather Alexander.There has always been the implication that the Czar had something to do with it, including a cunning resemblance between "father" and son.

It has always been such a hush-hush-did-you-know-don't-tell story and we do indeed have some rather valuable gifts given to the family by the Czar, implying it was in the form of acknowledging the birth of this specific son.

Since the line goes Male Czar - male - female - male, I cannot figure out a) how it could possibly be traced and b) where to find solid, proven Romanov DNA to compare to.

Any workable advice?

Cecilia

[Jo]

Cecilia,
Your story is fascinating! I'm sorry I have no information to help you. But, I wish you well in your search. Keep us posted!

[mary b]

Cecilia, what a great story ! If you click on the choice "DNA Solves Romanov Mystery At Last" it has a link to email one of the scientists involved, Michael Coble, why don't you try that and see if you get anywhere. I know the Britain doesn't recognize any bastard children of monarchs so its probably the same for Russia's families, but it would be interesting to at least find out, let us all know when you do!! Mary

[Sandy]

Cecilia,
There is a similar legend passed down in our family, but no proof. It's said my G-Grandmother (Mary Burkhart?)was working at the Palace in Berlin when she became pregnant with my Grandmother, Agnes, b.June 1886. The father was alledged to be Alexander II. Mary came to the USA abt 1888, leaving Agnes behind until May 1902, when she joined my GG in PGH. My grandmother died in 1927 and my oldest Aunt (b.1905) was the one that passed this info down. After hearing this story several times after starting my Family Genealgy, I decided to research Alexander II and was surprised to find pictures on the internet that resembled my brother and a great Nephew. Contact me privately if you would like to discuss more @ iwannomykin@yahoo.com .
Sandy

[Mary W. B.]

Here is the Romanov line to get the dates correct:
Alexander I 1777-1825
Nicholas I 1796-1855
Alexander II 1818-1881
Alexander III 1845-1894
Nicholas II 1868-1918
Alexander II who died in 1881, was known to have at least 7 illegitimate children, all documented as well as their mothers, and, in fact, he married the mother of 4 of them shortly after his first wife (and mother of his 6 legitimate children) died.
Alexander III was known to be faithful and devoted to his wife, she is the one he bought the famous Faberge Eggs for...he was known to be somewhat anti-German, as was his Danish wife, he was not happy with Germany's alliances with Austria, he was hostile with the government in Berlin so I can't imagine his traveling there.
It is common knowledge among researchers that during the time of Napoleon and these Russian Czar's the many illegitimate children of Europe were explained away by their family's saying "they were said to be a child of the Czar" and therefore no more explanation was possible because it was a hush-hush situation, this stopped any further gossip and of course also started much more gossip which gets handed down to future generations... I am not saying it is the case in your situations, just that the same story comes up over and over again among researchers and all these cannot be true, first of all the dates must match (a Czar cannot father a child if he is dead) Germany was a long way from Russian and somewhat an enemy during many of these time periods, illegitimate children of Kings were often not kept secret, there were a lot of illegitimate children during this time period (researching old German records shows it to be very common) and the father was often said to be the Czar or King etc...to shut the gossips up...just so you know that this is a somewhat common story handed down in families...only the DNA will show the real story...!!! Mary W. B.

[Cecilia H. Rosenberg]

The person I am referring to, my husband's mother's father, Alexander, was born 1871, so his possible relationship certainly is a possibility.

Thank you ALL for your responses. It is such a wonderful experience to be a family researcher and finding all these generous individuals sharing their knowledge with each other. Cecilia

[Sandy]

Mary,
Thanks for your response. I made a typo in that it was Alexander III I was referring to. I have not research this line beyond the USA, as I have not been able to document my Great Grandmother's maiden name or find my Great Grandmother's immigration record. I have found very few records in PA on my GG or grandmother. It appears my Grandmother used the name of her step-father after arriving in the USA.
The book I read also stated that Alexander III was loyal to his wife but he did make trips to Berlin in the early years of his reign. There apparently was a good rail system between these countries.
I wondered if records of illegitimate children were kept in Germany and you have answered that question for me. The explanation of illegitimate children in Europe is also interesting.
Thanks again!

[Ajlouny]

It's amazing how forensic science has come so far, so mysteries like this can finally have an answer.

[Carol Schladweiler]

It is written in my Grandmother's bible that she was an illegitimate
daughter of the Russian Czar. In fact she looked a lot like them.
She was raised in Al Sac Lorraine Germany by a family I do not wish to post right now. The Czar paid for her care and support until she was 18. After she left Europe for the United States, she married and always felt this to be a skeleton in her closet. She was ashamed to be born out of wedlock.
I think DNA would prove this to be true.
We contacted a show hosted by Robert Stack (years ago) they refused to delve into this one!